Page 36 of Nash Falls

“He told you to trust but verify?”

“More verify than trust, actually.”

“That’s right. He made the big bucks, which is why he’s your neighbor. He’s not getting into that gated community with Uncle Sam paying the freight.”

“And how didyouget into my gated community that night?” asked Nash.

“Not at liberty to discuss.”

“So, your superior?” said Nash.

“You’re traveling to Washington, DC, tomorrow, correct?”

“How did you hack into my calendar?”

“That would require a search warrant, Mr. Nash. We have other ways.”

“Illegalother ways?”

“Will you have time in DC to meet for, say, a half hour with someone?”

“Yes. Where?” said Nash.

“Your hotel. Text me with the place and a time. We’ll take care of the rest.”

“Oh, so you don’t know what hotel I’m staying at?”

“If it makes you feel better, no, we don’t,” replied Morris.

That did not make Nash feel better. “Who will you be bringing?”

“I’ll leave it as a surprise.”

“I’m sorry if you think this is overkill on my part, but there is a lot of crime going on out there, committed by some really scary people.”

Morris said in feigned surprise, “Oh really? I had no idea.”

“No, I meant that I just need to be careful, that’s all.”

“Look, truth is, if I were you, I’d be doing the same thing, too.”

That was the first time that one of the agent’s comments had not pissed Nash off. “I’ll text you,” he said, and clicked off.

He reached his office twenty minutes later and rode the elevator up.

Ellen Douglas, the prim receptionist, pointed to a tray of cookies set on the counter.

“Fresh this morning, Walter. Almond and chocolate chip. Two of your favorites.”

Nash, who hadn’t eaten breakfast, snagged two and thanked her. He strode quickly to his office to find that someone was waiting for him.

Rhett Temple was sitting on the small couch in the meeting area off to the left of Nash’s desk. Rhett looked pale, and he carried one arm stiffly as he rose to greet Nash.

“You okay, Rhett? You look like you’re coming down with something. And what’s up with your arm?”

“Late-night flight back to town. And en route I fell and banged the crap out of my arm,” he added, lifting his limb up a few inches. “Feel like an idiot.”

“You probably need to rest and put your feet—and arm—up for a few days.”